Manager, Rail Dispatch

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority•Austin, TX

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Rail Dispatch reports to the Director of Transportation Operations and holds strategic and administrative responsibility for CapMetro’s Rail Operations Control Center (OCC) dispatching function. The role owns the OCC budget, staffing plan, resource allocation, and program-level policy direction, and is accountable for the OCC’s safety, performance, and regulatory standing. It leads coordination with the FRA, FTA, TxDOT, other CapMetro departments, and other operating modes. The Manager provides senior-level direction to the Chief Rail Dispatcher, who translates it into operating rules, training standards, and consistent practices across dispatch shifts. The position focuses primarily on program-level leadership rather than routine floor supervision, including budget and staffing decisions, contractor and vendor oversight during the rail insourcing transition, service planning, regulatory relationships, and senior-level response to major service disruptions and emergencies affecting rail dispatch. The position provides strategic and program-level direction for rail dispatching supporting passenger, freight, and excursion service. It oversees program deliverables and regulatory compliance, establishes performance expectations, supports multi-modal service coordination, and serves as a senior technical authority and escalation point for rail dispatching and transportation operations. It also supports CapMetro’s Safety Management Systems process and performs other duties as assigned. Work is primarily performed in an office, Operations Control Center, or rail dispatching environment. This is an onsite position, with the primary workplace at a CapMetro facility or field location and an expectation to work there four or more days per week. The incumbent is an on-call escalation point and may respond to emergencies, major service disruptions, and critical operational incidents outside normal operating hours. Regular and predictable attendance at the assigned work location is essential. Visa sponsorship is not available; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. This is a security-sensitive position, and annual background checks will be conducted on incumbents.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field; an equivalent combination of directly related education and professional experience may substitute year for year for up to four years.
Eight years of progressively responsible experience in the transit or railroad industry, including at least three years in railroad or rail transit operations, dispatching, or OCC management.
Two years of management experience, including budget ownership, staff oversight through subordinate leaders, and regulatory or contract oversight in a railroad or transit operating environment.
Thorough knowledge of railroad operating rules, procedures, and industry practices, including signaling, dispatching, track, and bridge operations.
Strong knowledge of rail safety principles, Safety Management System practices, and FRA and TxDOT requirements concerning dispatching, certification, training, operational testing, and regulatory recordkeeping.
Ability to manage an operating budget, staffing plan, and resource allocation for a safety-sensitive, 24/7 operating function.
Ability to build and maintain working relationships with the FRA, FTA, TxDOT, and other regulatory or governmental stakeholders and represent CapMetro in external forums.
Executive-level leadership capability, including directing subordinate leaders, holding managers accountable, and translating policy and regulatory direction into organizational expectations.
Experience overseeing outsourced or contracted operating functions, including performance management and transition of contracted work to an internally operated model.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to represent the OCC to executive leadership, the CapMetro Board, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
Strong problem-solving, organizational, and strategic planning skills, including assessing systemwide operational issues and developing program-level solutions.
Ability to manage passenger and freight rail operations within a multi-modal transit system and coordinate with other operating modes and departments.
Proficiency in standard business and operational software, including word processing, spreadsheet, budgeting, scheduling, and project management tools.
Ability to sit and stand frequently during an eight-hour workday, reach vertically and horizontally, and effectively use telephone, radio, or headset equipment.
Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 20 pounds, perform computer workstation work for up to six to eight hours per day, and work effectively amid frequent interruptions and competing priorities.
Ability to respond as an on-call escalation point to emergencies, major service disruptions, or critical operational incidents outside normal operating hours.
Regular and predictable attendance at the assigned work location.
Currently authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Responsibilities

Own the OCC operating budget, staffing plan, and resource allocation to support safe, compliant, and reliable rail operations.
Serve as CapMetro’s primary point of contact with the FRA, FTA, TxDOT, and other regulatory or oversight bodies, including representing CapMetro in reviews, audits, and stakeholder meetings.
Direct development and approval of program-level deliverables, including the O&M Plan, Staffing Plan, Rail Activation Plan, and dispatch-related sections of the CapMetro System Safety Program Plan (SSPP).
Direct managers and supervisors in executing OCC policies, operating rules, training standards, and consistent shift-level practices; review and approve rule changes, timetables, and special instructions before publication.
Provide senior operational authority and strategic direction during major service disruptions, systemwide emergencies, and abnormal operating conditions, coordinating with executive leadership, CapMetro departments, and external agencies.
Oversee program-level dispatching and performance during the rail insourcing transition, ensuring practices, training records, and documentation align with CapMetro standards.
Serve on the Risk Management Oversight Team and support Emergency Management Team activities, including drills, tabletop exercises, simulations, and after-action corrective-action planning.
Collaborate with CapMetro planning staff to develop and implement an Integrated Bus and Rail Service Plan aligned with CapMetro strategic objectives.
Establish OCC-wide performance expectations and reporting standards for on-time performance, delay management, incident response, and customer communications.
Approve staffing models and shift structures recommended by the Manager, Rail Dispatch to ensure qualified coverage for planned service, special events, and emergency response.
Ensure OCC practices support compliance with FRA and TxDOT regulations, the CapMetro SSPP, and Safety Management System policies.
Provide program-level direction for dispatching passenger, freight, and excursion rail service.
Coordinate systemwide service interruptions across rail and bus operations to minimize passenger impacts.
Direct schedule control, operational analysis, and service planning; evaluate existing and proposed rail operations and approve operational readiness for service changes.
Serve as the primary technical authority and escalation point above the Manager, Rail Dispatch for rail dispatching and transportation operations matters requiring executive visibility.
Coordinate with Safety, Training, Legal, and regulatory stakeholders to prepare for FRA reviews, address findings, and track corrective actions from dispatching-related audits.
Promote safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across the OCC, setting clear expectations for managers, supervisors, and dispatchers.
Support CapMetro’s SMS process by ensuring staff follow safety and security policies, consider safety in their work, and report safety and security concerns.
Perform other duties as assigned.